FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Is your tap water coming out brown or yellow?
Winston-Salem city officials said not to worry because the water is safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
They say the discoloration is due to the iron and manganese that have gathered in the pipes over time, giving the water a yellow or rusty-colored appearance.
City officials said as City Link receives reports, field crews with Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Utilities are conducting routine flushing of the water distribution system to reduce the duration of discolored water in the areas.
Power failures at Neilson Water Treatment Plant may have contributed to discolored water reports last week and a small number of reports have been submitted this week, according to city officials. Winston-Salem city officials also said at no time, however, has the safety of local drinking water been compromised.
If your water appears red, brown, or yellow, it is recommended to refrain from washing clothes to avoid possible staining of light-colored clothing. Remember, while the water may appear discolored, it remains safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing, officials say.
Public Information Officer, Gale Ketteler said all the utilities company would like to ask is patience from their customers.
"We really understand that this might cause some concern for customers and we appreciate your patience and your understanding. There’s no quick fix to this," Ketteler said.
To minimize the potential impact on customers, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities will continue to flush water lines. Citizens can assist with response efforts by reporting pressure fluctuations or discolored water to City Link at citylink@cityofws.org, calling 336-727-8000, or using any of the methods on cityofws.org/citylink. Subscribe to Alert Center and News Flash for utility updates at cityofws.org/notifyme.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.